The electricity was in the air. No, really it was. The San Juan Radio Control Club held a electric fun fly. I didn't count the pilots. It was a real laid back event. Lots of open flying. I only came up for the morning to see watts going on. They were going to keep flying into the night.
So with a few planes in the air, the bench talk was just as fun. You could get a expert opinion on everything. That was what makes this event so fun. Everyone was welcome to share stories of building and flying. That's what we do. This group of flyers is a lot of fun.
If you ever get a chance to come up to Farmington, New Mexico, you won't be disappointed. Come fly with them.

The Young Eagles event at Double Eagle II went off without a hitch yesterday. The EAA folks thanked us for our efforts and invited us back for there next Young Eagles event. The two RC Flight Sims were in use most of the day and we gave away a number of magazines. Brian Reagan had a number of handouts to give away courtesy of the AMA.

The EAA tried a new way of running the event which worked very well and moved the kids through in an orderly fashion with little waiting in line to fly unlike last years event. The weather was great and we got to see a couple of unusual aircraft including a fancy auto-gyro. We were allowed to drive our vehicles to the hangar for loading and unloading our planes and equipment which made for easy set up and tear down.

I meant to take pictures, but was so busy talking to kids and adults that the event was over before I realized I'd not gotten any pictures.

I want to thank all of you that gave of your time and equipment to make our display the success that it was. We had several members from the RRRCC that stayed the whole time. Without their help we would have been a bit rushed. So a BIG THANK YOU to all who helped. My apologies for not knowing that a free pancake breakfast was provided. Most of us had already fueled up before we got there. The sausage sure smelled good!

May the force be with you. Yes I know, pretty corny. The Young Eagles had a fly in at Double Eagle 2 airport in Albuiquerque. The Rio Rancho and Albuquerque Radio control club brought planes and simulators. The pilots give up there time and money to let the kids fly with them. What a cool bunch of men an women. There were over 70 kids of all ages. One young man that really wanted to go was just too young. He will be in the air one day.
I am thankful for the pilots and volunteers for the work they did to teach all those young aviators.
Look for a Young Eagle event in your area. It is a lot of fun.

Yesterday morning Howard and I got up early and drove to Farmington New Mexico for a swap meet hosted by SJRCC. There were a few sellers and some lookers. Two ARCC members came up too. The weather was great. Those that were flying had a good time. It is fun to visit this club. They are a lot like all clubs. Lots of laughing and telling stories.
Visit this club and fly with them. You will have a good time.

I just attended ASA's F-3 glider contest. Our VP Lawrence and AVP John were also there. Steve Moskal did a great job keeping the event going. There were 26 pilots trying to get a 6 minute flight in a 10 minute window and then a spot landing. It is not as easy as it sounds.
I learned a lot watching and talking at this event.
ASA has an event almost every month. They are a very active club. It was a well run event.

I just attended the 12th annual Nate & Steve's Most Excellent Fun Fly. For the last 12 years Nate & Steve have been hosting this event. All planes are welcome and fun is mandatory. We had fun. There was lots of flying. The weather was great.
Lunch was great. They served burgers and dogs. The cost was a donation to the club. After lunch prizes were passed out. Stan from California brought many prizes. The more you flew the better chance to win one.
Next year will be the 13th fly in. They are already planning for more fun and excellent flying.

The Road Runner Scale Classic was a fun event this weekend. 30 plus pilots and lots of aircraft. ARCC did a missing man flight on Saturday morning. We lost too many friends this year. The weather was perfect. Light winds and low temps kept us flying late each day. The BBQ dinner on Saturday night was real good.
ARCC did a great airshow. Please take time to thank the members that gave up their time to make this a great event. Thanks ARCC.
Next year should be even better. Come fly with them. You will have a good time.

I just attended the ARCC June Fun Fly. It was a blast. We had a small turn out and lots of fun. I think the was about 25 pilots. Every one got lots of flights. On Saturday Norm and Lenny flew their turbines. Pretty cool. The winds were light and the temp was HOT. We finished the first day around 12:30pm.
Sunday was a little warmer. Wait, I mean hotter. There was only a few pilots having a good time. The club did a great job. It takes a lot of work putting on an event. Les, Rick, keith,Stan and Vic did a great job.
Come out and fly with them in September. They are have a scale meet. It was fun last year.Should be just as fun this year.

I attended ARCC's first jet fly in this weekend. They had over 20 pilots and lots of help from the club. The event was held for 4 days. Thursday was a practice day to get use to the altitude here in Albuquerque. Open flying was the plan for the rest of the weekend. The wind did not help the first 2 days. It as just too windy to fly. Saturday was a lot better. The sky was all cloudy but, little wind. They had a dinner Saturday evening. Sunday the sun came out and those that didn't head home, had a good time.
This was ARCC's first Jet event. From what I saw, it was great. ARCC did a first rate job and all had a good time.
Jets jets jets. All I can say is WOW.

Toys for Tots. What a great idea for a fun fly. Just bring a ten dollar toy and fly. The MVMAC in Las Cruces did just that. I went down there for this fly in. There were about 20 plus pilots and great weather. Their newly paved runways are nice and smooth.
I would like to thank Janet and Char for their work. They did the sign up for pilots, sold raffle tickets, and coffee, hot chocolate. They did it with a smile. It was a real fun event.
Give a new toy, fly your planes and have fun. What could be better?

Thanksgiving weekend I traveled with Howard Chapman to Tucson for the Winter Scale Classic. There were over 40 pilots this year. The weather was great on Saturday and not bad on Sunday. Light wind kept them flying into the afternoon. I can't remember how many times I have attended this event. It is always fun. Lots of relaxed flying. The only requirement was to have a good time. We did.
Once again TRCC put on a real fun event.

On Tuesday September 12th we lost Chuck Brooks. Chuck flew a lot of planes and was in air shows over the years. He helped anyone that wanted to learn to fly. He was a husband, Father and friend. I will miss his smile as he flew his P47. He liked all planes. He always made me feel at home when I would visit him.
Chuck was my fiend. He made me laugh.

ARCC Scale Classic on day 2 was just as good as day one. The weather was not too hot with light winds. They had lots of open flying.
This event was moved from June to September to avoid the heat and attract more pilots. I think it was a success. They hope to make it bigger next year.
I had a real good time.I know every one did too. I was happy to see all the help the club got this year. Thanks to Les and Vick for all the work they put in.
Hope to see more out there next year. You will have fun.

I attended ARCC's scale classic this weekend. There was 40 pilots this year. When I pulled into the parking lot for the swap meet on Friday night, I was surprised by the number of motor homes. The weekend was going to be great.
Saturday morning came and the flying got started. There were lots of cool planes.
The day ended with a Mexican meal that evening. The food was great. The first day went very well and I know a good time was had by all.

This Weekend ARCC (Albuquerque Radio Control Club) held a new event for them. On Friday there was a swap meet. It was well attended. This was done at 4 in the afternoon. Lots of stuff to swap.
Saturday was the fly in and kids day. There were several kids flying on the buddy box. All planes survived and it was fun. The open flying was good. A little cross wind made it tricky.
Sunday was a better day. The wind was down the runway. A low turn out was due to it being Fathers Day. Still, there was 24 pilots and lots of fun.
ARCC did an excellent job keeping it low keyed and fun. Thanks to Les, Rich, Keith,Stan and Vick. I know I missed a few others helpers.
Come on out to Albuquerque and see their new runway. It's great.

It is sad when one of our members pass away. Vaughn Hefley last flight was February 18th 2017. I first met him at Maloof Memorial RC Airfield here in Albuquerque NM. He helped me fly my first D7 at a scale contest. He was always willing to help new flyers. I don't know how many people he taught to fly.
Today we had a memorial at the field. There where a lot of friends there.
We will miss him.

Wow 2016 is almost gone. What a year it has been.We said goodbye to Mark Johnson, who did a outstanding job as VP and elected Lawrence Harville as the new VP. He has done a great job his first year. Please support and help him continue into 2017. We have a new AMA president. He will do a great job too.
The AMA helped us with the FAA. We can still fly our aircraft by the AMA rules. I hope the AMA and FAA will put politics aside and get back to flying.
I think we had a good year. WE lost a few members and gained some new members. The technology has grown leaps and bounds.
This year let's remember this is a hobby. We do it for fun. We want to take flying safely serious and have fun at the same time. Try to help the new flyers learn the safety rules. Make them feel welcome and want to come back.
Happy New Year.

This weekend I attended the Spaceport Drone Summit. This was the first one. They hope to have it next year. The weekend was a success. The drone racing was fast. There was a area for drone photography. There was a area for fixed wing demos and static display. Our VP Lawrence was there with his friend Johnny Hunt. Tony Stillman and Mark held down the AMA tent. Jim Tiller, District VIIII VP was in charge of the fixed wing display.
A group a pilots came up from Las Cruces and El Paso to fly their planes. They put on a lo of flights for the spectators.
This was a fun event. With some advertising it could become a big event. The Spaceport staff was great.
I had a good time and will go back next year. Hope to see you there.

This weekend I traveled to Las Cruces NM for Mesilla Valley Model Airplane Club's new field warming. Howard chapman road down with me. There were 5 members from Albuquerqe's AOK club.
John Womack was the CD and did a great job. There was about 25 pilots or more, I didn't count them. Lots of open flying and talk.
This event was held to warm up their new field. It is a good place to come to. There are 2 runways and lots of shade. When the city completes all the little things the club would like to have done, it will be even better. I had a real good time flying with the club. It was just a bunch of friendly flyers having a great time.
I will be back next year, Hope to see you then.

Today Sept, 10th, Howard and I went up to Farmington, NM for Steve and Nate’s Most Excellent Fun Fly. The weather was great. It was not windy as expected. There were 36 pilots signed up. This was the 10th year of their event. It is hosted by Steve & Nate. The supply the prizes and food. All is free. There was a donation box to help. Lots of flying was the norm. I had a great time. I have never had a bad time there. The treat all visitors like family. I am looking forward to next year.

This weekend i attended ARCC's Labor Day Air Show. It was held at Maloof Memorial field in Albuquerque. Rick and Keith were in charge and did a swell job. They had lots of help from Stan, Mark, Wanda, Jimmy, and Chuck. There were a few others too. The event is just open flying. Saturday was not too hot with a slight cross wind. Sunday was a little windy with the wind straight down the runway. It was great.
On Saturday Lawrence Tougas was the to answer questons about what he would do as the next AMA president if elected. Please go to his web site and see what he is all about.(tougas4president.com ) He could make a good president. The choice is up to you.
Every year this event has been a lot of fun. It is a lot of work but worth it. I had a great time.If you get a chance, stop by and fly with them. It was fun.

Brian Regan
AMA District VIII NM AVP

Art and Howard discussing gravity.

Rick and Keith sitting back letting us have all the fun. Great job guys.

Once a month or more the LA Aeromodelers get together on the weekend to fly. I was sent these pictures of some of the members. I have flown with them and had a great time. I hope to get up there this summer and fly with them. If you get a chance, look them up and visit their field. You will have fun.

I just got home from ARCC's scale meet here in Albuquerque. There was over 30 pilots and lots of planes. Rick, Keith & Vic did a great job. They had help during lunch from Stan. Most of the work for this weekend was done by Rick, Vic & Keith. Thanks for helping us have a great time.
Norm Redenchec won pilots choice with a cool tigercat. Baylor from Farmington won civilian with his cub and Paul Jarvis won beat military with a great P47.
Saturday was overcast with light winds straight down the run way. Sunday had a cross wind that ground most flying. The guys that flew had a blast.
Just want to thank the 3 club members ( Rick, Vic & Keith) for all their work. I wish the other club members at the event would have helped them. It would have made it a lot easier.
Great time was had by all who came out. Next event for them is the Labor Day fun fly. Lots of open flying.

On Sunday RMFM held their 2nd annual open house. It was hot and a little windy. While the attendance was down, it was still real fun. They had a couple guest try there hand at flying. Grins all around.
I was hoping for more guest. Those that attended had a great time.
One safety item. Don't let anyone take pictures at the end of the runway dead center. We had a guest walk out to do just that. We brought him back in and later he found out why we can't let him stand there. A plane landed right where he would have been standing. Remember Safety is every ones job.

AOK (Aeromodelers of Kirtland) joined in to celebrate Kirtland AFB 75th anniversary. The club put on demo flights and a static display. There were lots of people and questions. Don't touch that was heard often.
Thanks to all who showed up to help. It was a good time.

This weekend I traveled down to Tucson for Warbirds Over Tucson. There were 26 pilots and lots of airplanes. TRCC did a great job keeping the flying going. Saturday it was almost cold with wind. We flew a lot any way. This event is pretty laid back. The only requirement was to have fun. I think we did. On Sunday i got a chance to fly with a third scale Pup, a quarter scale DR1 and my Dr1. It was real fun trying to keep close enough to get a picture with all 3 planes.
Thanks TRCC for having another great event.

It was a cool damp foggy morning. I arrived at the field to se several swappers set up for the day. Rick and Keith from ARCC helped line up the swappers. There was about 20 or more swappers. You could find almost anything. There was some fishing tackle too.
I think the early morning fog scared some buyers and sellers away. It was still a pretty good day. I sold a few things and gave away a few things. Thanks ARCC for doing another swap meet. They will do another one in the fall.

I want to thank Mark Johnston for the last 3 years as VP. He did an excellent job. It seems he was always out of town visiting the clubs in District VIII. I don't know how many clubs he visited, it was a lot. I also want to thank his wife for going with him. She was a big help at the District VIII meeting in Kingsbury.
Mark will be missed. Please take the time to tell him thanks for the time he spent being our District VIII VP.
Thanks Mark.

This morning I went to fly at my local club. The club is, Rocky Mountain Flying Machine,(RMFM). I got there about 9am. It wasn't as cold as I thought. The wind was very light and down the runway. I waited to see in anyone was coming out. No luck.
Now the safety part. I know that I probably should have pack up and left. I didn't. I got in 3 good flights with no problems. Not much fun by yourself. No one there to heckle. I was extra careful starting my engine. We should be extra careful all the time.
Should I have not flown? Probably. Will I do it again? Probably. Just couldn't pass up a good day.
So, if you do something stupid and no one is there to see it, is it still stupid? Tree in the forest thing.

I attended TRCC's Winter Scale Classic in Tucson Thanksgiving weekend. The weather was a little cool with light winds. Bob Snook was the CD and did a great job. There was lots of open flying. Highlight of the weekend for me was flying in the WW1 gaggle. There was a 1/3rd scale pup, 1/4 scale D7 and DR1, and a Hanger 9 D7. We had a couple real good passes and one that was a little to close. Some how we missed each other.
I went to Chuck Brook's house with Howard to do a little hanger talk. It got deep. The flyers from Albuquerque were, Howard, Pat, Harry, Mark, Tom and me. We had a great time.
I look forward to next year. This was and is a real good event to come to. Hope to see you there next year.

Today 4 members of the Aero modelers of Kirtland put on a static display to raise money for the Wounded Warriors project. We raised 110.00 dollars. The club will add to that and send it to the AMA. This was fun and worth the time. We got a chance to meet lots of people and talk model aircraft. Thanks to Norm, Marcelino and Howard for coming out to help. We were glad to be able to give a little to help the Wounded Warriors.

This weekend RMFM had their Fall Pattern Classic. I went out on Sunday to watch al little. Jeff Hill was the CD and did a good job. Bob Thompson was there to help. This event would not have happened at RMFM's field with out all the work Bob did. Thanks Bob.
There were 16 pilots. The flew 4 rounds on a very windy Saturday. On Sunday the wind was much nicer with low temps. They flew 2 more rounds and the unknown round on Sunday. Every one I talked to seemed to be having a good time. RMFM did a good job and would like to see more flyers come out in the spring for their next pattern contest.
This was a good event and well worth the time to come out and fly.
Thanks RMFM for putting on a good event.

On Saturday Howard and I went to Farmington for Nate & Steve's Most Excellent Fun Fly. The weather was great. There was over 20 pilots. I didn't count them, probably a few more. This was an open flying event. Just bring an aircraft and fly or sit around hanger talking. The only requirement was to have fun.
Steve brought the grill and started cooking. The hamburgers and hotdogs were great.
If you like meeting new people and flying come up to Farmington next year or just pop in and fly with these guys.

This weekend I attended ARCC's 60th Annual Labor Day Air Show. There were 20 pilots. I don't know why there was such a low turn out. We had a great time. Rick was the CD and Keith helped him a lot. Vic worked the food with Al (Top Bun). The weather was nice and cool until Sunday. It got a little warmer then. Norm won pilots choice with his Tigercat. Len was second with a turbine and finished 3rd with my DR1. I hope they have this event next year. This is a fun event for all types of planes. Come to Albuquerque and see what all the fun is about.

This weekend August 22nd, RCRCC held their annual float fly in at Cochity Lake in New Mexico. Rick Mahlum was the CD and did a great job. There were 20 pilots signed up. Lots of foamies. There were a few built up plane as well. The day was as perfect as it can get. Light winds and cool in the morning. The flying was real laid back.
If you like float flying, plan on flying with the Santa Fe club next year. It was a lot of fun.

Date line, August 15th & 16th. Rocky Mountain Flying Machine (RMFM)has a scale fly in. It was held at Maloof Memorial Air park fro the second year in a row. The road to RMFM'S field was washed out again. There were 16 pilots. The weather was great. The flying was fun. Howard Chapman was the CD and he did a great job. He had Dave Haygood and Bob Thompson as Assistant CD's. Now they will be able to become a CD for future events.
The attendance was low for some reason. I think the few that came out had a great time.
Special thanks to Howard for letting RMFM twist his arm into running this event. He did a good job. Thanks to those that came to help.

On June 27th & 28th I attended ARCC's All scale fly-in in Albuquerque New Mexico. There was 40 pilots and plenty of planes. Saturday the winds were variable and would change directions many times during a flight due to a cold front moving through the area. Unfortunately the unpredictable winds contributed to several planes going down. Sunday was much better. I think everyone had a good time. If you like laid back flying events, this is a good one to come to. Check them out next June. You will Have fun.

The Rocky Mountain Flying Machine (Albuquerque) is having their scale meet August 15th & 16th. This will also be a fun event. Laid back and lots of flying.

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